Is Phoenix or Rockford Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Rockford (Safety Score 17/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,599 for Rockford — 13% lower. Phoenix has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Rockford has a 41% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 11.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rockford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Rockford, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Rockford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 3,598.6 | -473.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 1,081.4 | -281.3 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 13.1 | -4.7 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 69.5 | -5.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 106.7 | +74.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 890.7 | -345.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,517.2 | -191.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 632.6 | -315.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,444.8 | +137.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 439.8 | -13.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Rockford safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,599 for Rockford — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Rockford has 1,081.4. Phoenix has lower violent crime.
About Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Rockford, IL
Rockford, once known as "Forest City," sits on the Rock River in northern Illinois. Its manufacturing history shaped a blue-collar community of just under 150,000 residents. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 145,280, Rockford has a total crime rate of 3,598.6 per 100,000 residents.